YNN: Uncertainty in Race for Syracuse Mayor

Posted by Howie Hawkins513.20pc on May 17, 2013

The Green Party has a guaranteed ballot line. And one of the party's most prominent names is thinking about a potential run for mayor. Howie Hawkins, who ran as the Green Party candidate for governor in 2010, says a decision will come soon.

The outlook remains unclear in this year's race for mayor in Syracuse. Just who will end up on the ballot in November? YNN's Bill Carey says as the political parties work to finalize their slate of candidates, there are still a lot of variables at play.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Tom Dadey and Stephanie Miner don't agree on much, but they share growing concerns over this year's race for mayor. Miner is seeking re-election and hoping to avoid any battles within her own party.

“I think primaries are divisive. I think our city has significant challenges and that we should focus on those challenges and not focus on primaries and wasting resources,” Miner said on Wednesday.

That may be wishful thinking. Already, one democrat, Alfonso Davis, says he will challenge the incumbent mayor in the September primary. And there is ongoing speculation about Common Councilor Pat Hogan, a democrat, who says he is still mulling over a primary challenge.

Republican chairman Dadey thinks the struggles inside the democratic party offer an opportunity to retake the mayor's office. His problem is finding someone to run. It has not been easy.

Dadey said, “It is very costly to raise a lot of money to run in a very competitive race against a very well-funded incumbent. The time, the sacrifice, the commitment it takes.”

The only republican actively considering a candidacy is former Syracuse firefighter Tom Sexton. But Dadey says he is not the only possibility.

“My goal would be to have a republican candidate for mayor. Now, if that's not possible, we may look at an alternative. Whether it's a democrat who can agree with some of our party principles or somebody else who's possibly a non-enrolled voter or enrolled in another party. We may not rule out that option as well,” Dadey said.

Dadey, for months, has been considering whether to give democratic Councilor Hogan the republican line to bolster his challenge to Miner.

And in the midst of all that, there is a new wild card. The Green Party has a guaranteed ballot line. And one of the party's most prominent names is thinking about a potential run for mayor. Howie Hawkins, who ran as the Green Party candidate for governor in 2010, says a decision will come soon.

Hawkins said, “When I ran for District Councilor in 2011, people wrote me in for every council seat. At large. I think I came in second in the District Attorney's race. They were writing me in for judge. A lot of people want to vote for the Greens and vote for me.”

Hawkins expects to announce a decision, on a run for mayor, next week.

Republican committee members meet this weekend to choose candidates for City of Syracuse races, but may delay a decision on the mayoral contest. The democrats have already designated Stephanie Miner. The Green Party meets for its selection process on Monday.

People challenging those results can begin circulating petitions on June 4th to force a primary in September.